Nantos Construction in Baltimore: General Contracting for Residential Renovation and New Build

Nantos Construction is a licensed general contractor serving Baltimore and surrounding counties, handling residential renovation, addition, and new construction projects from $50,000 to $500,000+. The firm operates as a full-service management operation, meaning it pulls permits, coordinates subs, and manages timelines rather than performing all trades in-house.

What Nantos Construction actually does

Nantos takes the role of general contractor on jobs where homeowners or developers need someone to shepherd a project from design through completion. This means licensing with the Maryland Department of Labor, securing the necessary permits from Baltimore City or county authorities, and maintaining liability insurance. The firm's primary focus is residential work: kitchen and bath remodels, additions, basement finishing, structural repairs, and new single-family construction. It does not specialize in commercial projects or large multi-unit development.

The contractor model matters for homeowners because you are paying one entity to hire and coordinate electricians, plumbers, framers, and other trades rather than hiring each separately. This centralizes accountability for scheduling, quality, and code compliance.

Services and project scope

Nantos handles full renovation management across all major building systems. Kitchen and bathroom projects typically run $30,000 to $80,000 depending on finishes and structural changes. Second-story additions and whole-house remodels scale upward; a 400-square-foot addition with full foundation and roof integration generally costs $100,000 to $150,000. Basement finishing, including framing, electrical rough-in, and drywall, runs $15,000 to $40,000. Smaller jobs like structural repairs, roof replacement, or siding updates fall between $5,000 and $25,000.

Pricing is project-specific; request a detailed estimate for your scope to get accurate figures. The firm typically requires a contract deposit before work begins; confirm this percentage when you receive the estimate.

How Nantos compares to other Baltimore general contractors

Baltimore's general contracting market includes both established firms and owner-operators. Bonzai Construction, another licensed general contractor in the city, positions itself similarly for residential work in the $50,000-plus range but tends to emphasize custom and high-end finishes, often pricing 15 to 25 percent higher than Nantos on comparable projects. For smaller jobs under $20,000, many Baltimore homeowners hire specialty contractors directly (a licensed plumber for plumbing-focused work, a licensed electrician for rewiring) or use handymen for non-permitted repairs, avoiding general contractor markups. Choose Nantos if you need unified management of a complex project involving multiple trades and permit coordination; choose a specialty contractor if your work is single-trade and straightforward; use a handyman only for minor repairs that do not require permits.

Who should and should not hire Nantos

Nantos suits homeowners planning renovations that cross multiple building systems, additions that require foundation and structural work, or new construction where permit and code compliance demand professional management. It also works for anyone uncomfortable navigating Baltimore City or county permitting alone or coordinating multiple subs.

The firm is less a fit for cosmetic-only work (paint, flooring in an existing footprint with no structural changes), emergency repairs that need same-day response, or projects under $5,000 where general contractor overhead becomes disproportionate. For those situations, call a specialty trade or handyman directly.

First contact and the estimate process

Call or email Nantos to describe your project scope, property address, and timeline. The firm will schedule a site visit, typically at no cost, where the owner or project manager walks the space and asks questions about your vision, budget, and constraints. Bring photos of inspiration if you have them, note any existing issues (water damage, outdated systems, structural cracks), and be clear about your budget ceiling.

After the walkthrough, expect a written estimate within 5 to 10 business days. This should itemize major phases, material and labor costs, timeline, and payment terms. Review it carefully; if numbers seem vague ("miscellaneous $5,000"), ask for a breakdown. Once you approve and sign, the contractor pulls permits and schedules the start date.

Licenses, insurance, and permits

Confirm that Nantos holds a current Maryland Home Improvement License and carries general liability insurance (request a certificate). Ask whether the contractor or homeowner pays permit fees; Baltimore City permits for additions and major work typically run $300 to $800 depending on scope, plus inspection fees. The contractor should clarify which permits apply to your project and who handles the application.

Hours and logistics

Nantos operates standard business hours for scheduling and communication. Most renovation work happens Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., though scheduling is negotiable for occupied homes. Confirm the start date, expected duration, and whether the site will remain accessible on evenings and weekends for emergencies.

Nantos Construction earns its place in Baltimore's contractor landscape by managing the full complexity of residential permits, code compliance, and multi-trade coordination so homeowners do not have to navigate those systems alone.